Columns

What we are witnessing today is one of the greatest challenges to our constitutional system in the history of this country.” Jonathan Turley, law professor and supporter of President Obama, made this statement in his testimony before the House Rules Committee just a few days ago on the continued abuse of power by the Obama Administration.

We assume we are advanced builders, thinkers and politicians in our 21st century but think of the capabilities of those living almost 700 years ago.
The Ming dynasty ruled China for 276 years from 1368 to 1644. The Ming dynasty is described as “one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history.” During the Ming dynasty China was the world’s superpower with the largest population and economy.

As we get closer to our 33rd annual Centerfest, which will take place on September 27, we are just so excited about the many inspiring vendors who will fill the streets of Centertown!
Where would Centerfest be without its vendors? The lovely, talented people that set up in the middle of our streets, that last warm Saturday in September, are the ones breathe life into our festival!

Before reading last week’s “Conservatively Speaking” column, I should have known something was up when I saw that John Barnhart had been snooping around one of my social media accounts.
Well, what’s a good liberal Catholic to do, huh? Mr. Barnhart is surely a sensitive soul, and he took exception to my sarcastic references to Bob McDonnell’s link to Regent “University” (and I insist on the quotes).

It seems, from last week’s Liberal Agenda, that I raised Rick Howell’s temperature above the boiling point by disrespecting two of the demigods of his silly political party’s pantheon. My suggestion that John and Robert Kennedy’s primary claim to the status of legends is that they were murder victims seems to have caused him to boil over.
Mr. Howell claims that I “can’t understand the idealism and passion for social justice they embodied.”

Who, exactly, is not working with whom?
During these fierce ideological battles that have so long divided Washington, people really ought to ask themselves a fundamental question.
What have conservative Republicans ever really done for anybody? Can anyone tell me?
I’m not talking about starting wars or supporting policies that protect them and their wealth, such as tax cuts for the rich, which have proven to be disastrous.

I see that this summer has brought Rick Howell to the boiling point. I really don’t know why as it doesn’t seem to be unusually hot and Mr. Howell grew up in the Bedford area — I believe he graduated from Liberty High School in 1975 — so he should be used to Virginia summers.
Maybe it’s because he’s a hard-core left-winger living in a predominantly conservative area. He would be politically middle of the road in San Francisco.

Would you believe it’s been 33 years since Bedford hosted its first Centerfest? Thirty-three years and this amazing festival is still the Bedford event of the year that draws thousands of people into Centertown!